This is actually our first Champagne during Fizzmas! I held off to make a point – there are so many good sparkling wines from all around the world. That said, you gotta still love the Champs. And one of my favorite kinds lately is Champagne made with all Pinot Meunier.

Champagne is allowed to be made with three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Meunier gives perfumey fruit and youthful brightness to the mix and is usually the lowest contributor to the blend, but everyone once in a while it gets the spotlight.

I think they make for really lovely, delicate Champagnes so looove when I find them (though they’re not super prevalent, just warning you). So I love Moutardier for making some Meunier Champs – I’ve had their Carte d’Or (which also has 15% Chardonnay and very nice) and their rosé (cool orange rind and white raspberries), but this Pure Meunier in the pic above is 100% Meunier and super cool.

It had more yellow apple fruit than the florals that I usually get from Pinot Meunier. And this is completely odd, but it also smelled like French fries. I took a sniff and was almost laughing because that’s what I smelled, and figured I must be smelling something else and smelled again. But still the fries! No idea why, but to be honest Champagne is amaaaazing with French fries so I just went with it.

Anyway, really liked it. Plus, its label sparkles! Between my fries scent and my love of the sparkly label, how much do the French hate me right now?

Found it online at one place for $47.99.

As always, you can click on Fizzmas to see all the fizz and fun in these 12 days! And let me know what your favorite bubbly is below.